The outgoing UN chief will take part in the New Year's Eve celebrations at Times Square in New York tonight, leading the countdown to 2017.

Mr Ban thanked staff as he left his New York office.

"I feel a bit like Cinderella - tomorrow at midnight, everything changes," he joked. "On the eve of New Year, I'll be in Times Square for the New Year ball drop. Billions of people will be watching as I lose my job."

He added: "I will always be the child of the United Nations. And my heart will always be with you and with the United Nations.